Thompson Keeps Curbs On Contributions

August 31, 1989|By Daniel Egler, Chicago Tribune.

SPRINGFIELD — Saying that the risk of abuse was too great, Gov. James Thompson Wednesday again vetoed legislation that would have permitted insurance companies and the owners of racetrack stock to contribute to the political campaigns of public officials.

The legislation, enacted by overwhelming votes in the General Assembly, would have lifted bans on political contributions that were enacted in 1972 for the racing industry and in 1937 for insurance companies.

``Both provisions were enacted as a result of prior scandals and abuses of this privilege and as one who was personally involved in ridding Illinois of some of these problems, I firmly believe that our state simply cannot tolerate a repetition of these scandals,`` Thompson wrote in his veto message.

As a federal prosecutor, Thompson successfully prosecuted former Gov. Otto Kerner for shady stock dealings with a top Illinois racing official.

Supporters of the measure had argued that times have changed since the prohibitions were enacted, especially in light of a stringent financial-disclosure law that requires detailed accounting of all contributions of more than $150 to a political campaign.

``It is unfortunate that we have to restrict access in this manner for the overwhelming majority of those organizations in either of these industries who can be counted on to handle this privilege with the utmost integrity and good faith,`` said Thompson, who had vetoed bills lifting the insurance ban in 1977 and 1983.

But, he added, because the industries are so tightly regulated by the state and have no federal controls on them, ``the opportunity for

misunderstandings or abuse by unscrupulous operators is greatly enhanced.``

The racetracks had provided no active support for the measure in the legislature, and some insurance companies had asked Thompson to veto it.

Under Illinois law, racetracks, insurance companies and nationally chartered banks are the only private enterprises prohibited from making political contributions.

In other action, the governor:

- Approved legislation that will permit the Department of Children and Family Services to establish and license emergency overnight shelters for homeless youth.

- Signed a bill prohibiting smoking in any elevators that are open to the public. Violation of the law, which is effective Jan. 1, would be a petty offense, punishable by fines of $45 to $250.

- Approved amendments to the Narcotics Profit Forfeiture Act to permit seizure and forfeiture proceedings against anyone accused of narcotics racketeering to begin prior to conviction. In addition, the bill requires any claimant of seized property to prove it had not been acquired as a result of narcotics racketeering.